Dollar Politics
Millions of dollars are pouring into Capitol Hill, as lobbyists jockey to have their clients' interests represented in three major pieces of legislation now taking shape: massive bills on health care, banking regulation and energy. In a multipart, multimedia series, NPR examines this extraordinary intersection between money and politics, and what it could mean for public policy.
Follow The Legislation
Who's Representing The Uninsured On Capitol Hill?()
September 22, 2009 Of the 100 congressional districts with the highest uninsured rates, 53 are represented either by Republicans — who are fighting Obama's attempt to overhaul health care — or by Blue Dogs — conservative Democrats who have slowed down and diluted overhaul proposals.
Pushing One Agenda At White House, Others On Hill()
July 27, 2009 Many industry executives joined President Obama in May for a show of unity on cutting health care costs. But they are also spending millions of dollars to push their own agendas in Congress, as lawmakers wrestle with the details of a health care overhaul.
Drug Firms Pour $40 Million Into Health Care Debate()
July 23, 2009 During three critical months in the debate to overhaul health care, a powerful drugmaker consortium known as PhRMA and its members spent more than $3 million each week lobbying Congress. In the past, PhRMA has won most of its lobbying battles.
Who Has Access To Max Baucus?()
July 22, 2009 Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus has the clout to determine winners and losers in the health-care debate. Several former staffers are now industry lobbyists with a unique brand of access to the man at the debate's center. In Washington, access is money.
Millions Spent On Ad War Over Health Care Overhaul()
July 21, 2009 With battle lines drawn over overhauling health care, industry and advocacy groups have begun pouring millions of dollars into TV ads. The air wars mimic the fight 15 years ago when Clinton was in office, while spending on the ads looks a lot like the 2008 presidential campaign.
Ad Aims To Distance Sen. Dodd From Lobbyists()
July 18, 2009 An advertisement created by the re-election team for Sen. Chris Dodd, a Democrat from Connecticut, suggests that he is sticking it to Washington lobbyists. Dodd's actions, however, suggest a different story.
Outside The Beltway, Anger At Business As Usual()
July 9, 2009 The swarm of lobbyists on Capitol Hill is the norm to beltway insiders. But when we posted a picture on NPR.org of the mass of lobbyists in the audience of a Senate session on health care, many visitors to our site responded with shock and anger.
Need For Campaign Cash Opens Door For Lobbyists()
July 9, 2009 Lawmakers juggle the work of crafting legislation with their other big job — raising money to get re-elected. And that money often comes from the industries that will gain or lose from that legislation. Is it just the way the system works, or is it bribery?
Lobbyists Jockey For Position In Health Care Debate()
June 25, 2009 As Congress this month began its legislative work to overhaul health care, the hearing room was packed with lobbyists. Billions of dollars are at stake, and interest groups are pouring millions into Capitol Hill to make sure their concerns are represented.
Tracking The Money In The Health Care Debate()
June 25, 2009 As Congress prepares to overhaul the nation's health care system, anyone with a financial stake in the outcome wants to be in on the action. NPR's Dollar Politics series is tracking the lobbying money in the debate, and the interests at stake.
